LAWYERS say that those who “Neknomiate” someone who dies as a result could face manslaughter charges.

Welsh lawyer Julian Young told WalesOnline that the publicity surrounding the deaths from the Neknomiate craze, including those of British men Stephen Brooks and Isaac Richardson, meant those who nominate others to drink large amounts of alcohol could no longer claim that they are unaware of the potential consequences.

Bradley Eames, from Nottingham, England, became the fifth person to die from Neknominations in the past month after reportedly guzzling two pints of gin mixed with tea bags.

Neknomiate, which originated in Australia, is where you film yourself skolling alcohol and then nominate someone to do the same.

“Any person would have to prove that the person who did the nomination knew with a degree of certainty what was likely to occur,” Mr Young said. “At the beginning of this no-one knew what was going to happen.”

“And if they harm animals, like swallowing a goldfish, there could be a case for causing unnecessary suffering,” Mr Young said.

A South Wales Police spokeswoman said Stephen Brooks’s case was being examined for his inquest but that it was not a criminal investigation.

London police say Isaac Richardson’s death is not being considered a criminal matter either at this stage.

“The person who set the challenge has been identified and will be spoken to as soon as possible,” Detective Sergeant Roy Black said.

Dr Phil White, secretary of North Wales Local Medical Committee, said prosecution is the only way to stop Neknominations.

“If there were a prosecution, that would be it,” he said. “It would stop overnight because everything is recorded on the internet.”